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I'm glad that more Protestants are beginning to value the importance of vestments.  The abandoning of them in some circles (baptist and presbyterians) had more to do with a reaction to Roman Catholicism than it did biblical precedent.  Read More

In a recent discussion regarding the problems of denominationalism, I was directed to an interesting post by Rich Bledsoe from a couple years back.  As usual, Bledsoe tends to view things from a different angle.  As a result, he never fails to provoke thought by shedding new light on a subject.   

This is from Doug Wilson on "the late unpleasantness":

 

"In the old days, defenders of the faith used proclamation, argumentation, and apologetics. These days, the defenders of the faith use all the bureaucratic levers they have hidden under the desk. If the SJC goes the way I suspect it might, that would mean that Wilkins would be condemned in the PCA despite two vindications by his own presbytery, despite the fact that no charges were ever brought, despite the fact that no trial was ever held, and despite the fact that he was never given an opportunity to defend himself in open court. Don't talk to me about proof. We don't need no stinking proof.

In the old days, the prophets of God would thunder the word. These days, they resort to Machinations and Back Room Deals. You don't think so? Then look at what happens to Wilkins. Look closely. Look at the procedures. Look at what was done, and what was not done. And imagine yourself trying to explain the polity ramifications of all of that to Samuel Miller. The whole thing would be a joke if it were only funny."

 

Even the Roman Catholics had the decency to give Luther his opportunity to speak at the Diet of Worms.

 

To read the entire article click here. 

In an earlier post I had mentioned that some within the Reformed tradition assert that unless the NT explicitly cites an OT type as such that we are not permitted to make the connection to Christ.  Rather than seeing the NT's typological hermeneutic as providing a precedent for typology in general, advocates of this position warn against the potential abuses of seeing types of Christ in the OT that are not intended.  Read More

Perhaps it's just me, or perhaps it's this region of the country, but it appears that for some reason the practice of intinction is becoming increasingly popular in Reformed churches.  In short, intinction refers to dipping the bread (or more often wafer) of the Lord's Supper into the cup holding the wine (or more often grape juice).  I find this practice troubling for several reasons.   

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What is the world coming to?  First Anne Rice and now Anthony Flew, one of the most outspoken atheists of the past century, has become a theist.  What do they both have in common?  The Bishop of Durham. Read More

Asbury Theological Seminary has finally posted the times for N. T. Wright's visit on November 13-14.  This will be a rare opportunity to hear the leading NT scholar in the world speak - for free! 

I suppose I'm so used to a typological reading of Scripture that I just assume it's all talking about Jesus.  As a result, I expect to find types of Christ all over the Bible.  In fact, I suppose I hardly ever preach a sermon where I'm not tying something into Christ and His work. Read More

In Angels in the Architecture, Doug Wilson quotes Pascal as saying that "every man is almost always led to believe not through proof, but through that which is attractive."  Wilson then goes on to contend that the way to discover the truth is to ask the question "Which is more beautiful?" 

I don't know if this song would exactly qualify as beautiful, but it's certainly attractive, not to mention down right fun.  Who knows?  After all the arguments have failed, maybe it will get people to drink wine in communion. 

You can even sing along!      

Are we making Jesus angry by the way we treat our children?  Jeff Meyers thinks so.  I do too.